The American University Library plays a vital role in connecting students, faculty, and scholars across the academy with information, ideas, and each other. While we continue to support traditional modes of scholarship through our print collections, primary source material, and research consultations, we increasingly support emerging trends in learning and scholarship, such as digital information formats, multimedia production, data set utilization and management, and sustaining key partnerships to better enable student success.

Research Services

We developed the Research Commons initiative with our partners across campus to connect students with research assistance at the point of need. Students can now receive on-site training on statistical software and in-depth consultations on statistical methodology for their research projects, in-person writing assistance, research consultations with librarians who are experts in the disciplines, on-site tech help, and access to the scholarly resources needed for in-depth research.

New Initiatives

Through our emphasis on collections, service, and collaboration, we are developing innovative approaches to modern research, such as data set utilization, management, and preservation;expertise in alternative scholarly metrics (alt-metrics) and scholarly communication;digital resources; and mobile library services. We are partnering with new programs to offer materials for faculty instruction and student use in emerging fields.

One of our major goals is to create a more inspiring library space. As we undergo space planning and eventual construction, we will be working to increase study space while keeping our key on-site collections accessible. While the collection will continue to grow and stay current, our digital holdings will increase rapidly. Our focus will be on interdisciplinary, social, and scholarly connections we foster as we position the library to meet the needs of the future.

Collections

The AU Library collection spans primary source material, key foundational texts and cutting-edge scholarship. Additionally, our participation and partnership in the Washington Research Library Consortium provides AU students and faculty with access to more than 12 million volumes. Our Washington, DC location also affords a rich array of governmental, academic, and intellectual institutions with which we partner to provide access to a greater quantity of cutting edge resources.

I invite you to join us in our mission to enable educational and research success, whether by exploring the website, visiting the library, or supporting our vision and evolution.